Erica Lee Powell

Erica Von Gunten Powell was born in Park Ridge, Illinois, in Resurrection Hospital on August 6, 1968, to Lee and Judy Von Gunten. Erica was the second of five children and only daughter. Lee was so happy to have a daughter! He thought that since they had a son, John, their firstborn, and then Erica, a daughter, their family was complete! Surprise, surprise! Three more brothers for Erica and John would be born into the family in the coming years. The Von Guntens had moved to Arlington Heights, Illinois, a couple of weeks before Erica’s birth, and ended up raising their family in the Chicago area. Erica was on the drill team at John Hersey High School and finished high school early, leaving to attend Ricks College for a semester and then returning to graduate with her high school class of 1986. She met Kirk Powell while attending Ricks College, and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 26, 1989. Erica graduated from Ricks College and then from Brigham Young University with a degree in Elementary Education. After graduating from BYU, Erica and Kirk moved back to Illinois and lived there for six or seven years. It was there that they adopted their son, Blake, as an infant in 1996. In 2001 they adopted their daughter, Alyssa, as an infant as well. Kirk, Blake, and Alyssa and her grandsons, Wylder and Wallace, were Erica’s whole world! Erica loved being a substitute teacher and a tutor. She loved to read, play the piano, ski, dance, and hold anybody’s baby. Erica was a people person and loved to always be updated on everyone’s lives in her family, including her many nieces and nephews. Erica was diagnosed with myotonic dystrophy in 2008, which changed her active life, affecting her ability to move freely. It progressively got worse and eventually landed her in a wheelchair. She was an amazing example of enduring to the end to her very last breath. Erica would want to thank Kirk for his tireless service to her, lifting and moving her from place to place, loving and serving her to the last moment of her life. He is the epitome of an angel among us. Erica’s family is very grateful for his love and kindness to Erica throughout their entire marriage. Erica passed away in the Intermountain Medical Center hospital in Murray, Utah, on January 15, 2025 after a hard-fought battle with pneumonia. She is preceded in death by her father, Lee Von Gunten. Erica is survived by her husband, Kirk Powell, and children Blake and Alyssa Powell, her mother, Judy Von Gunten, her brothers John (Keli), William (Lisa), David, and James (Rebecca) Von Gunten, and grandsons Wylder and Wallace Powell. Erica’s graveside memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 11:00 at the West Jordan City Cemetery at 7925 S. 1300 West, West Jordan, Utah 84088.

Erica Lee Powell

August 6, 1968 - January 15, 2025